Nose gear tow bar



APri 26, 1949 T. s. HOLMES 2,468,669

NOSE GEAR TOW BAR Filed July 16, 1947 im l' E' u 28 27 29 Patented Apr. 26, 1949 S'T'TSES f @FE-IEE N OSEiGEAR TCW :BARV

TracyaS-Hlmesg Burbank-Calif.; assignoryto Airquipment Company,l Burbank, .Calif..

Application July 16, 1947, Serial No. 761,288

1I' 'Cllimstl (Cl. 280433.14)

It "is frequentlymecessary to'. move an airplane about on `the ground `foiffservicing, repairs, refueling, stora'ge, etc. Tractors or equivalent ground vehicles are employed ffo'i thisV purpose `and lare connected with the landing gearnilthepairplane bystowbarsr: It is`..de`sirable'.lto.constructthe towbarsso .as to. protect the. landing gear fromdam-A age in theieventthe tdwin'gloads: become exces sive.l 'Iwbars have `been introducedembodying sheen pins .intended to. Vfail when such 4excessive loading foccurs.,-` However, .the design ofthe .prior towbars Yof` thisnclass has sheen. such.,` .that .under certaincircumstances theyewillsjacknife or buckle and-,thus damage .the landing geartuponthevffailf ure .ofitheshearpins.

It Vis a generaltobject; of.: this; invention to. :pror-` vide la ftowba1-.:of the iclassereferred-:to f that des; pendably protectsthe landing 'gearof the, airplane from. allihazards and-damage iniztheaifeventilthe towing loads@become 'excessive I fiori anyf reason whatsoever;`

Another object fofttheuinventioniis;.to provide-a towbar ofthe cla'sssreferredftothat will lnotbuckle orjackknife undeizanyfcircumstances Theftow ban of; this finventi'onf .will partv and become `two entirely 'zdisconnectedwsectionsl'when the tension, compression :or-torque loading, orfany combina-l tion"thereof',' becomes: excessiveiL The -device `will notfoldgor -buckle--undervh'eavy `compression'or sidef loading thattoftentends to canse'buck-ling'of conventional towing- `devices:-4

Anotlier obJ'ectof the` Vinventiorr'is to lprovidea towbar of the character mentioned constructed to have'a single orcommon shear plane. for: the shear pins or shear bolts; 'lhe'device has two .sections presenting 'abutting ,axially extending surfaces providingashear planepr' plane of separation which intersects;l or includes; the central longi tudir'ial axis" of the-"assemblyfandth shear...pins which'are engaged branch'ored-jin the two sec. tions" pass transversely', throughlthis common plane to be subjectto. all '.tensile,.compression-and torsional lo'adingpn i:het.ovvbai:.- The'two :sec-c4 tions are free. to move orfs1ide,.one.npon,the `other in .this common. pla'nenpon` theiailure iofzthe shearl pins and, are thus .free -to entirely* se-Isiarate immediately ,,up.on. breakingnffthe: shear :pins or.

v toits;u

Another. object ofsthe invention tissto providesa towbar-.oflthe-kind described sin; whichvwtheishean pins: orffbolts fare arranged and relatedin .such a m'annerthat-.two pins or-bolts' assume compression loadingffone: of -said I pins! or bolts i assumes the tensileloa-cling.` and the. other offsa'idf pins; `or` bolts assumesfthe-torqueior sidefloads. The construction is such that both pins or bolts fail under excessive towing loads of-l any.v characteri i Vbut 'the separate pins Which'arefofaknown shear strengths normally assume the tensilesandtorsiondoading respectively andibothlpinsfass-ume. the compresa sion loads:` This:.-maks1it :possiblefytogive'the towbar anygrequiredforselectedatensile compresision @and .torque ratings-and yetrequires: only :the two shear pins or bolts:

Otherrobjectivesaand:advantages of" the inven+ tionzwillgbecomeapparent.fromrthe following *dee tailedfdescription of .a typicalzpreferred form 'of the:inventionthroughout.Whichldescription refer-L ence svillibe -made Ito ithelaccompanying:drawings intwhichz: i l

Figure-'fl is; a :perspective -viewiiof the towbar: .of thisinvention coupled-with thelanding gear of an airplane; t

Figure :2 i'san :enlarged planiview lof ythe towbar.; Figure 3 is aside'4 elevationof. thetowbar; Figure ,4 isv'an .enlarged fragmentary rVertical detailed:-sectionalViewtakenas` indicated by line 4-r=4'of Figure 2;,1:

Figure V-5 .is a .fragmentary horizontal detailed sectionalfview taken substantially: as indicatedl by line*l 5-5 on Figurevl; and

Figure isa transverse detailed'sectional View taken as indicated-by line lI--I'iori-Figure 4.

The 1towbar of the. invention .may bev said #to comprise two main,` or.' principali: sections lII) and I hinorinally connected =byf tWo :shear-pins or .bolts I2 and .-I3.=

While theffprincipal :sections- I0 and i I I may be constructed of any selected material orvr stock, I have foundlitieconom-ical to fabricate them from a (length of; pipe.v or a tube. ,i The -two sections AI 0 and-II are elongated andcomplementarywto together con-stituteeanf elongate.4 assembly ythat is substantially; roun'dy lor. cylindrical in transverse cr.oss.section-.-,. When the sections I0 and II are formed fromia vtubefthe tube is'cut approximately halfway through at anzangle of. about'f45 degrees ande-at two longitudinally spaced `planes at' opel posite sidessothat.theisectionfl has-'two longi-' tudinally.- spaced i forwardly facingy inclined :'en'd surfacesfld and=` I5 :and the section: I I hasttwo similarand opposinginclined endsurfacesl. I6 and I Ihertube isthen cutior slit'lengthwise so Vthat anfaxialacuticonnectslthettwo' angular cuts. This separates the two sections I and Il and gives each section the coniguration of a half tube for the distance between their respective inclined end surfaces I4 and I5, and I6 and I'I. When the axial cut surfaces are dressed down, plates I8 and I9 are welded or otherwise xed to the inner or axial edges of the sections I0 and Il respectively. rIhe outer or exposed surfaces of the flat plates I3 and I9 are then engaged one upon the other in such a manner that the inclined end surfaces I4 and I6, and I5 and II are in spaced adjacent opposing relation as best illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. It will be observed that the two fiat plates I8 and I9 engage one another at a central diametrical and axial plane of the assembly. This constitutes the shear plane of the towbar as will later become apparent.

It is desirable to weld or otherwise x a baille plate or guide plate 2Q on the inclined end surface I5 and to provide a similar platelI on the end surface i6. These plates and 2l cause the sections II) and II to slide one past or over the other when the pins or bolts I2 and I3 fail under compression and prevent the sections from binding or locking one with the occurs.

The outer or rear end of the section I0 is equipped with suitable means for engaging or coupling with the landing gear of the airplane.

In Figure 1, I have shown the section I provided with a yoke or fork 22 for straddling the nose wheel W of a nose wheel gear of typical design. The arms of the fork 22 have suitable jaws 23 and 2li for engaging about the axle of the gear or a rod The jaws 25 passed through the tubular axle. 2i! are hinged or pivoted on the fork 22 and suitable toggle latches 25 serve to hold the jaws 24 in the closed or operative positions. It is to be understood that the structure just described may be varied materially to adapt the towbar for use with landing gear, etc., of other types and the invention is not to be taken as limited to) the employment of the particular fork and jaw arrangement illustrated in the drawings.

The outer or forward end of the bar section II is provided with means for facilitating connection of the towbar with the tractor or other draft vehicle. In the simple construction illustrated, a rod 2 extends from a cap 28 on the section II' and carries a bail or ring 29. The ring 29 is adapted to receive a hook 3B. or the equivalent, on the draft bar 3| of the tractor or towing vehicle (not shown). A spring-loaded keeper 32 may cooperate with the hook to prevent its disengagement from the ring 29.

I provide an upstanding skid 33 on the forward end portion of the section I0. The skid 33 extends upwardly and forwardly or toward the tractor and its forward and upper edge 34 is curved so that it will slide or ride over the ground or floor without digging in, in the event the towbar parts under excessive load and the inertia of the airplane carries the towbar section I0 forwardly. rI'he above-described inclined end I4 of the section I3 may be slightly curved to merge with and form a continuation of the curved edge of the skid 33. An opening 35 may be provided in the skid 33 to receive a rope, or the like, to facilitate handling of the towbar and to tie the towbar up to the airplane when not in use.

The above mentioned shear pin or bolt I2 is arranged to assume the tensile loads imposed on the towbar and assists in assuming the compression loads. In accordance with the invention the other when this shear bolt I2 is engaged or anchored in the sections I3 and II' in such a manner as to extend transversely through the above-described shear plane defined by the opposing plates I8 and I9. t is preferred to sustain or support the major portions of the bolt I2 so as to prevent bending and to assure clean shearing of the bolt when it breaks under an excessive load. Accordingly, I provide aligned transverse openings 36 in the walls of the sections I0 and Il and their plates I3 and I9 and arrange tubes 31 in the aligned openings to receive the shear bolt I2. The inner ends of the tubes 3l may be flush with the faces of the plates I8 and I9. The tubes 3l are suitably secured in place, for example, they may be welded to the walls of the sections I3 and II. I have shown the shear pin I2 in the form of a bolt provided at one end with a head 33 and washer for engaging the wall of one bar section and provided at the other end with a nut 39 and washer for engaging the wall of the other bar section. It is to be understood that the member I2 may take the form of a simple pin suitably secured in place. The bolt I2 is preferably removable so that it may be replaced by a bolt I2 of a diiierent strength. The bolt I2 has a portion 40 of reduced diameter at the shear plane, it being apparent that this portion of the selected pin may have any given cross-sectional area to impart the desired strength to the bolt.

The shear pin or bolt I3 assists in assuming the compression forces but is primarily intended to fail when a known or given excessive torsional load is imposed on the towbar. The bolt I3 is spaced axially from the bolt I2 and passes transversely through the above-described shear plane of the towbar assembly. A tube 4I, similar to the beforementioned tubes 31, is arranged in transverse openings 42 in the section I0 and its plate I8 to receive a portion of the bolt I3. A tube 43 of elongated transverse cross-section is arranged in correspondingly shaped openings 44 in the plate I9 and the wall of the section II to receive the other end portion from the bolt I3. The tubes 4I' and 43 are fixed in their respective openings as by welding. The shear pin I3 is illustrated as being a bolt provided at one end with a head l5 and at the other end with a nut 36. In the drawings the parts are formed and related so that the bolt I3 is in engagement with the forward end of the elongated opening in the tube 43 when the sections I0 and I I are in the assembled operative load-transmitting positions. Accordingly, the bolt I3 assists the bolt I2 in transmitting compression loads between the sections I0 and I I. However, it will be observed that the bolt I3 is spaced a considerable distance from the rear end wall of the tube 43, and therefore does not assume any of the tension transmitted through the towbar. It is to be understood that the parts may be related so that the pin I3 is spaced between the ends of the elongated opening in the tube 43, in which case the allowable tensile and compression rating of the towbar are identical and the allowable torsional rating will,

of course, depend upon the strength of the pin I3.

The shear bolt I3 is provided to shear off or fail when the towbar is subjected to excessive side loading or torsional loading. In accordance with the invention, the bolt I3 is weaker than the bolt I2, that is its cross-sectional area is less than the cross-section of the portion of the bolt I2, assuming the bolts to be constructed of comparable or identical materials. Therefore, it will be seen that upon the application heavy side loads, the bolt I3 will shear-off at the shear plane 0I 5e theassemblyandfthe bolt 1I 2 willremain-unbrolen: Under-these circumstancestheboltll 2 will'thereA after-act-`A temporarily as -fa'-.fulcrum= orJ pivotalconnection'between-E \the 'two'y sections `I Il ffand v-I I,-

permitting Arelative-f-angular Yor pivotal movement-fv of: the sections.'-

Theiinvention`- provides' means for causing-orbringing Aabout the -failure -ofi the bolt I 2 whenx itil assumeswthe functionoi vr'a lpivotcpin -as -fjust de-`U scribed: Thismeans inolude'sa). substantially- V-fsliapedv notch or recess--48 in'I the-forwardf end z ofhthekplate I8 andafstoppnabutment -pin Alion cooperating `VwithI the wall'i ofsthe `re cess.; The pin 4'I is -xed to theipl'atetISof thesecti'onwll .ande

projects upwardly-therefromito 4enter or f pass throughfthefrecessf48.14 I 'haveshown the pin'll;

welde'din-anopening in` the plate- I 9, 'it being apparentr-thattother 4means may u be .employed toA secure-the pinto the-platterV The pin. 4'I 'is posi-` tionedso that it is spaced-'substantially midway between the divergent walls of` the recess .48, when the-sections I and I I are=connected by the shear pins -or bolts I2 Vand'rI 3. The` forward or outer endfofthe recess 48 is openfso that the pin 47 may move out of'therecess without interference when the sections IU-andfII become disconnected. The pinf4'lfpreferably'extends-through the recess 48 totwprojectlashortldistanceA into the interior of the section IIVso asto insure engagement with I',he.wa1l` ofthe recess-48-fwhenfthere is short or y limitedfangular. movement between the-sections IDfilandI-I I 'subsequent to breaking of the shear pin I3 under-excessivetorsional loading. Upon engaging the Wall of the recess 48 .the pin l1 serves i as a-fulcrum-stop-and maintained excessive torsional loading results in' relativeangular lmovementbetween'the-sections I0 and II with the pin 4IJ-as afulcrum so that the piny I2 is lsheared oi toarele'ase thesections I0 Aand-.II oneirom the other. In-y this connection it will beL noted that the pin 41 has adiameter and a strength greater than the portion-40ct the shear bolt I2.V

In use the towbar is readily connected with the landing gearfofthe airplane by the: jaws 23: and 2li',- or theeoluivalent',A and the hook 30 of the.-

tractor or pulling vehiclefis engaged inxthe ringv 29ito1couple the tractor withthe towing bar. In normal usage thewshearfbolts I2 and. I3 adequately transmit, .betweenlthe towbar sections IIJ and. I I,all'forces required to .move or tow the airplane.. The towbarwmay-be equipped with shear bolts of adequate strengthfo'rthe towing of airplanes vof different. weights, models` and. types.

However, in the event that the tensilestrainlimposed -on, thetowbar. becomes excessive for any reasonswhatsoever and is..of isuch a magnitude"` tractor or towing vehicle,-'theftwo bolts I2 and I3 transmit the-pushingforces between the sections i I0-and II, If-such'- compression. approaches a value'that mightfcause-injury to the airplaneA landing gear,thetwo shear pins I2 and I3 shear oii: simultaneously.l

This -alloWs relativeA axial movement betweenth'ersections `III and II andvr causes the inclined endfsurface I4=to engage/the -1 sloping platef2 I' iand'ibrings thefinolinedc'endcl I and pl ate 2 Il ainto engagement; Tlie L'engagements ofthese opposing inclined! 4parts cams Aor` :movesl the sections :I 0 and I I relative toone another ina vertical direction:- This relative lateralfiora-verh tical movement occurs before' thestoppinfd'landr thetwo plates I8 andf I@allowinglimitedfrelative angular movement between'the sections-I I) land/I f l with bolt'IZactin'g Yas a'pivotorfulcrum-s This bringsthe stoppin 4T' and -a -side wallgof fthe recess it into engagement fso-*that f the -relative angulanmovement of 'the sections vlil and -I Iv *is* suddenly-stopped and the boltl 2 shears oi'at the` shear plane provided bythe 'two-"plates I8 and y-I 5l; The two towbar sections II) A,and `I I=are thus freed from one another and-fall'apart.z

It willfbe seen that VI 'have-provided ay simple dependable towbar 'which iullyv protects the land# ing gear of theairplane' or the-towed Vehicle against injury that might 'otherwise result Ifrom overloading the towbar.v Uponfailure or the shear f bolts I2 'and I3,"the.secti'ons Ill `and ,II move 'or fallL apart withoutibuckling or. jackkniiing, instantly-Y relievingthe landing gear or the towedvehicle' of all further towing or pushing forcesv Havingdescribed onlya typic'al 'preferred form" of the invention, I do not wishlto ,be.limited to the'specic .detailsA set forth but wish.' to vreserve tomyself anyieatures .ormodioati'o'ns that may fallwithinthe scope of .the followingclaims.

claim:

1. A.towbar comprsing two towbar sections;

means ,on one .section for -facilitating,.connectionl with `a `towing Vehicle, means, on, the .other section' for.facilitating.oonnectionwith' the object, to be towed, the horizontal central (axesr of the two means lying in a .common plane, the sections eachY presenting vavilat surface, andfthesuraces of they twosections being Vinabuttirig engagement at a, plane` whichincludes .the central longitudinal axis otthe towbarandwhich'is' coincident with said common plane, andatv leastone sh'earpinengaged inatheritwo :sections and passingthrough ,saidi plane andi axis.V

2. Altowbar .comprising twoelongate` towbarc sections;y means onone .section for .coupling with. the object to-be towediimeans onfthe ,other section4 for coupling with actowing or' pushing v. instruf., mentality-- the sectionsv ,presenting flat axially,r extending surfaces whichfengage one,` with the` other aty a vplane which includes the `central longitudinal-axis ofthe ltwofasser-nbled sections, the. sections having `two longitudinally spaced pairs ofV` aligned openings, the longitudinalaxesfofsaid. openingsr intersectingisaid longitudinal .axis of the assembled f sections; and a -tshea-r pin: engageo'nht` eachi of. said. pairs :of aligned.; openings to` pass-.f through@ said plane; one :oi:said;.openings being,l elongated` axially Y. of ftheafassemble'd' sections to;

` allow` axial; movement foi .iin :respective sl'lear pini therein.

3. A towbar comprising two elongate towbar sections, means on one section for coupling with the object to be towed, means on the other section for coupling with a towing or pushing instrumentality, the sections presenting flat axially extending surfaces which engage one with the other at a plane which includes the central longitudinal axis of the two assembled sections, the sections having two longitudinally spaced pairs of aligned openings, the longitudinal axes of said openings intersecting said longitudinal axis of the assembled sections, and a shear pin engaged in each of said pairs of aligned openings to pass through said plane, one of said openings being elongated axially of the assembled sections to allow axial movement of its respective shear pin therein, the pin which is engaged in said elongated opening having a lower shear strength value than the other pin.

4. A towbar comprising sections, means on one section for coupling with the object to be towed, means on the other section for coupling with a towing or pushing instrumentality, the sections presenting at axially eX- two elongate towbar tending surfaces which engage one with the other at a plane which includes the central longitudinal axis oi the two assembled sections, the sections having two longitudinally spaced pairs of aligned openings, the longitudinal axes of said openings intersecting said longitudinal axis of the assernbled sections, a shear pin engaged in each of said pairs of openings to pass through said plane and said central axis, one of said pins having a lower shear strength than the other so as to fail prior to said other pin when to excessive side loads, said other pin thereafter serving as a fulcrum to allow relative angular movement between the sections, and positive stop parts on the sections for limiting such angular movement so that said other pin is sheared off by said side loads.

5, A towbar comprising two elongate towbar sections, means on one section for coupling with the object to be towed, means on the other section for coupling with a towing or pushing instrumentality, the sections presenting iiat axially extending surfaces which engage one with the other at a plane which includes the central ,longitudinal axis of the two assembled sections, the sections having two longitudinally spaced pairs of aligned openings, the longitudinal axes of said openings intersecting said longitudinal axis of the assembled sections, a shear pin engaged in each of said pairs of openings to pass through said plane and said central axis, one of said pins having a lower shear strength than the other so as to fail prior to said other pin when the towbar is subjected to excessive side loads, said other pin thereafter serving as a iulcrum to allow relative angular movement between the sections, and positive stop means on the sections for limiting such angular movement so that said other pin is sheared oi by said side loads, said positive stop means comprising spaced abutments on one section, and a stop pin on the 1other section spaced between the abutments to engage one or the other of said abutments upon said relative angular movement of the sections.

' 6. A towbar of the character described com prising two bar sections, one to be coupled with the object to be towed, the other to be coupled with a towing instrumentality, the two sections being arranged to constitute an elongate assembly, the sections having flat opposing surfaces which engage at a plane which extends axially` the towbar is subjected of the assembly and which is diametric of the.-

longitudinal axis of the assembly, two pairs of aligned transverse openings in the sections, shear pins arranged in said openings to intersect said plane, one of said pins having a lower shear strength than the other so as to fail prior to said other pin when the towbar is subjected to excessive side loading, said other pin thereupon serving as a fulcrum to allow relative angular movement of the sections, one section having a recess entering it from one end, and a stop pin on the other section adapted to cooperate with a wall of the recess to stop said angular movement so that said other pin is sheared off by the said loading.

7. A towbar oi' the character described comprising two bar sections, one to be coupled with the object to be towed, the other to be coupled with a towing instrumentality, the two sections being arranged to constitute an elongate assembly, the sections having fiat opposing surfaces which engage at a plane which extends axially of the assembly and which is diametric of the longitudinal axis of the assembly, two pairs of aligned transverse openings in the sections, shear pins arranged in said openings to intersect said plane and said axis, and a shear pin engaged in each pair of said openings to connect the sections, cne oi' said openings being elongated axially of the assembly to allow axial movement of its respective shear pin, said respective pin having a lower shear strength than the other pin and engaging one end wall o said elongated opening to assist said other pin in the transmission of compressions imposed on the towbar, said other' pin serving alone to assume the tensile loads transmitted by the towbar.

8. A towbar ior connecting a towing instrumentality with a vehicle to be moved comprising a first tube section having a portion of substantially hali-tube form, a plate on said portion lying in a plane diametric of the longitudinal axis of the section, means on the section for coupiing with said instrumentality, correspondingly inclined faces on the section at the opposite ends of said plate, a second tube section having a porn tion oi substantially half-'tube form, a plate on the last named portion lying in a plane diametric of the longitudinal axis of the section and engaging against the plate on the first tube section, correspondingly inclined faces on the second tube section in adjacent opposing and generally parallel relation with the inclined iaces oi the iirst section, means on the second section for coupling with vehicle, aligned openings in said plates, and at least one shear pin engaged in said openings to connect the sections, said inclined opposing faces cooperating to guide the sections one past the other upon failure of the pin by compressive loading of the towbar.

9. A towbar for connecting a towing instru-v mentaiity with a vehicle to be moved comprising a first tube section having a portion or" substantially half-tube form, a plate on said portion lying in a plane cliarnetric of the longitudinal axis of 'the section, means on the section for coupling with instrumentality, correspondingly inclined faces on the section at the opposite ends of said plate, a second tube section having a portion of substantially half-tube form, a plate on the las.J named portion lying in a plane diametric of the longitudinal axis of the section and engaging against the plate on the nrst tube section, correspondingly inclined faces on the second tube section in adjacent opposing and generally parallel relation with the inclined faces of the rst section, means on the second section for coupling with said vehicle, two pairs of aligned transverse openings in said plates, shear pins engaged in said aligned openings to connect the sections, one of said openings being elongated axially oi the towbar so that the pin engaged therein may move axially, said pin having a lower shear strength than the other pin and engaging one end wall of the elongated opening to assist said other pin in assuming compression loads on the towbar, said other pin serving to assume the tensile loads, said inclined opposing faces cooperating to guide the sections one past the other upon failure of the pins under excessive compression loading of the towbar.

10. A towbar for connecting a towing instrumentality with a vehicle to be moved comprising a rst tube section having a portion oi substantially half-tube form, a plate on said portion lying in a plane diametric of the longitudinal axis of the section, means on the section for coupling with said instrumentality, correspondingly inclined faces on the section at the opposite ends of said plate, a second tube section having a portion lying in a plane diametric of the longitudinal axis of the section and engaging against the plate on the first tube section, correspondingly inclined faces on the second tube section in adjacent opposing and generally parallel relation with the inclined faces of the first section, means on the second section for coupling with said vehicle, two pairs of aligned transverse openings in said plates, shear pins engaged in said aligned openings to connect the sections, one of said openings being elongated axially of the towbar so that the pin engaged therein may move axially, said pin having a lower shear strength than the other pin and engaging one end wall of the elongated opening to assist said other pin in assuming compression loa'ds on the towbar, said other pin serving to assume the tensile loads, said inclined opposing faces cooperating to guide the sections one past the other upon failure of the pins under compression loading of the towbar, the pin of lower shear strength being adapted to fail prior to said other pin when the towbar is subjected to excessive torsional loading to allow the sections to swing one relative to the other about said other pin, and positive stop means on the sections for limiting such relative movement to cause failure of said other pin.

ll. In a tovvbal, two sections related to provide a single shear plane, a shear pin connecting the sections to pass transversely through said plane and adapted to fail under excessive tensile or compression loads imposed on the towbar, and a second pin passing transversely through said plane and associated with said sections to fail upon the application of excessive torsional loading to the towbar.

TRACY S. HOLMES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,394,793 Rutten Oct. 25, 1921 1,483,514 Kiel Feb. 12, 1924 2,348,741 Jessen May 16, 1944 2,391,608 Wood Dec. 25, 1945 

